Why can’t people open their car doors when they drive into a lake?
In: 20
Water is heavy. Air is not.
A car’s passenger cabin contains air. It’s doors present an effectively water-tight seal which prevents lake water from immediately filling the passenger cabin. Instead, lake water presses firmly against the car’s partially submerged doors with force that exceeds what most people can overcome. Most water enters the cabin through ventilation ducts. Not until the cabin floods to the point that the water level inside the passenger cabin matches the water level outside the car will forces pressing the doors shut diminish to the point that the doors will easily open.
Unfortunately, unless the car already rests firmly on the bottom with its cabin still above the surface, equalization will not occur until well after the vehicle submerges — indeed a frightening outcome.
The only realistic means of escape is through an open window. However, after entering the water, a vehicle’s power windows often fail to function, leaving occupants trapped. Therefore, most first-responders recommend drivers keep a spring operated [glass punch](https://www.amazon.ca/SANZHENG-Center-Automatic-Spring-Replacement/dp/B09V56ZM39/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1NJH4IBJ5ILF2&keywords=glass+punch&qid=1669160150&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjA3IiwicXNhIjoiMi43MCIsInFzcCI6IjIuNjYifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=glass+punch%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-5) within easy reach, and remember the mnemonic “POGO”:
* P: **P**op your seat-belt;
* O: **O**pen the window; and
* GO: **GO!!!**
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